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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Round up that Bossy R!

We have begun working on r-controlled syllables in our class. We have already discussed r-controlled syllables to some extent as we encountered them in reading, but now our work with this skill is growing more precise. We will continue to revisit and review this skill throughout the remainder of the school year.

After reviewing r-controlled syllables, with a specific focus on -ir, -er, and -ur (these are the most challenging), we created our own circle maps. We usually just draw circle maps, but today we actually traced, cut, and glued the parts. The students really loved picking their colors and constructing the circle maps. Imagine that... kids, enjoying drawing, cutting, and glueing as opposed to just drawing a circle! It's really a shame, on my part, that it has taken me all year to incorporate such simple-but-fun details into this particular thinking map. I'll have to remember this a bit earlier in the school year next year...

I provided die-cut R's for the students to glue in the center of their circle maps. They added their own "bossy" above the R as well. Most of them chose to surround their "Bossy R" with the r-controlled syllables as well.

With their circle maps ready, then the students began a scavenger hunt for r-controlled words. They started with the AR books they are currently reading. Then, I let them "read the room" to find any additional r-controlled syllables. Overall, the activity was really simple in design, but it included a good variety of elements for the students to enjoy: basic art, reading, movement, etc. I also liked the fact that they had the chance to make most of the decisions about the final outcome for this little activity: they chose their own colors for the circle map, created their own design, decided which words belonged in the map, etc.

The end results were pretty neat. It was interesting to see the different ways the students chose to organize their writing, even within circle maps.

He said: "Mrs. Tally, will you send my picture to my mom? You can show the rest of the world after that."Mom first. Then the world. You got it. :)

About Me

Hi! I am Leslie, a teacher with a passion for Jesus, my family, and my career. While I have previously taught 3rd and 1st grades, I now teach students of all ages, K-5th grade, who display dyslexic tendencies that may inhibit their reading progress. The Tally Tales blog is my creative outlet for sharing stories about my life experiences- especially lessons I learn as a teacher. Thanks so much for visiting me here!

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach..." ~Col. 3:16